As a European, I have read with interest but increasing confusion this debate over coercion. I have never heard an economist in an economic history or economics seminar say "economic theory teaches us that all government is coercion". And, although the "free market always provides a better solution" is prominent to any one who has lived through the Thatcher years in Britain, it perhaps remains more of a political slogan than an economic theory. In any case, the two statements do not necessarily connect. I am pleased to have been educated about the possibly European roots of the former idea, but wonder whether the way the idea is expressed (above, taken from Mary Schwietzer's message) denotes a particularly American view about government stemming from political traditions? Mary Morgan (London and Amsterdam)